Junior Welterweight: Undisputed Weight Class Champ

The junior welterweight division is undoubtedly the hottest in boxing today. It boasts a long-reigning and likeable champ in Kostya Tszyu. The most talented fighter in the sport right now – Floyd Mayweather – has recently moved up to 140 pounds. The most consistently exciting fighter in the game – Arturo Gatti – has a title belt at 140. On top of all that, boxing’s hottest prospect – Miguel Cotto – campaigns at junior welterweight. Throw Vivian Harris, Sharmba Mitchell, Ricky Hatton, Francisco Bojado and Demarcus Corley into the mix and you’ve got one of the deepest talent pools in any single division in recent memory. And the best news of all is that these guys actually seem willing – if not downright eager – to fight each other!

Tszyu recently came back from a long period of inactivity due to injuries and stopped Sharmba Mitchell in impressive fashion. Next on Tszyu’s agenda is a June 4 date with England’s undefeated Ricky Hatton. Gatti is fresh off a fifth round stoppage of Jesse James Leija – one that prompted the 38-year-old Leija to announce his retirement shortly after the bout. Gatti’s one-sided victory has likely paved the way for a June 11 PPV event against Floyd Mayweather. While Mayweather’s blazing speed and defensive prowess could prove too much for Gatti, the bigger problem is getting Mayweather to address his legal difficulties outside the ring so that the fight can be made. Waiting in the wings will be the undefeated and still improving Miguel Cotto, who takes another step towards his first big payday when he takes on Demarcus Corley on Feb. 26 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Now, let’s play matchmaker for a moment. First, we’ll have the Tszyu-Hatton winner take on the Gatti-Mayweather winner. Meanwhile, Cotto (assuming he gets past Corley) will be taking on Vivian Harris. Finally, the survivor among Tszyu, Hatton, Gatti and Mayweather would battle the Cotto-Harris winner to crown the undisputed king of the junior welterweight division. Boxing fans seldom get exactly what they wish for but there’s certainly no harm in keeping our fingers crossed!